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Like every year, the cases for the mosquito-borne diseases, Dengue and Chikungunya, have spiked in different parts of India after the end of the summer season. This year the epidemic has lasted much longer<\/a> than the previous years. A 16-year-old girl died from dengue<\/a> on November 10, 2019 at a Delhi hospital.<\/p>\n India has reported more than 67,377 cases of dengue fever and 48 deaths as of October 13, according to data<\/a> released by the Directorate of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP).<\/p>\n Like zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, dengue is a viral disease that spreads through mosquitoes. The virus uses the Aedes mosquitoes as a host and transfers into the human when the affected mosquito bites humans. Dengue infection has no known cures but treatable symptomatically using evidence-based medications. Subsequently, many forms of alternative and misinformed treatments in India have emerged as a claim to cure and\/or prevent dengue.<\/p>\n Alt News Science counteracted another dengue-related claim about papaya extract \u2018Caripill\u2019<\/a> in our previous sci-check.<\/p>\n Application of coconut oil can be protective from dengue-infected mosquito bites due to its antibiotic properties.<\/strong><\/p>\n A viral message on social media and chat applications such as WhatsApp attributed to a doctor B Sukumar advises application of coconut oil in order to prevent dengue.<\/p>\n Prevention is better than cure \u2665\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/q6q0JvKokW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 thaman S (@MusicThaman) October 11, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Similar claim was also made from the verified handle of Max Health Insurance, as well as an Indian news channel called News Nation<\/em>.<\/p>\n Experts suggest natural methods like neem & coconut oil concoctions or garlic to keep the mosquito-borne disease #dengue<\/a> at bay. #BeatDengue<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Max Bupa (@MaxBupa) September 9, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Khabron Ka punchnama: Coconut oil prevents dengue fever: https:\/\/t.co\/gcmY8Y1vvk<\/a> via @YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 News Nation (@NewsNationTV) August 2, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Coconut oil is not an antiviral compound and its application will not protect against dengue infection or dengue-mosquito bites. <\/strong><\/p>\n Two studies have conducted research (Peedikayil et al 2016<\/a>; Shilling et al 2013<\/a>) that the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil have antimicrobial properties. Both were preliminary studies that tested the effect of coconut oil on bacterial infections with dental caries and hospital-acquired diarrhoea. The bacteria associated with dental caries is Streptococcus mutans<\/em> and with hospital-acquired diarrhoea is Clostridium difficile<\/em>, both are distinct organisms as compared to the dengue virus.<\/p>\n Thus, limited evidence from preliminary studies of antibacterial activity does not translate to efficacy as antiviral activity.<\/p>\n No studies were found that mentioned coconut oil as an effective antiviral agent. Since the dengue pathogen is a virus transmitted through Aedes mosquito bites, it cannot be protected against using coconut oil application.<\/p>\n Two studies (Sritabutra & Soonwera, 2013<\/a>; Soonwera & Phasomkusolsil, 2015)<\/a> mentioned the use of coconut oil application for dengue. In both instances, it was used as a solvent, similar to olive oil to dissolve other mosquito repellent oils. In both studies, there was no mention of coconut oil directly acting as a protective agent against dengue mosquito bites or, its alleged \u2018antiviral\u2019 properties.<\/p>\n There is no evidence that coconut oil can treat a virus infection in humans or prevent mosquito bites. It is dangerous to believe that it can stop the spread of dengue.<\/p>\n A: Coconut oil as an antibiotic agent<\/p>\n Available from: National Center for Biotechnology Information<\/a><\/p>\n Available from: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.<\/a><\/p>\n B: None<\/p>\n C: Coconut oil as a solvent for mosquito repellants:<\/p>\n Available from: Science Direct<\/a><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nClaim:<\/h2>\n
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Fact Check:<\/h2>\n
A: Limited evidence for coconut oil as an antibacterial against bacteria associated with dental caries and diarrhoea:<\/h4>\n
B: No evidence for coconut oil as an antiviral:<\/h4>\n
C: Evidence for Coconut oil as solvents for mosquito repellants:<\/h4>\n
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References:<\/h2>\n
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